The Blues have almost gone a calendar year unbeaten on home turf, and former Goodison hero Ferguson believes they should be in bullish mood ahead of the Merseyside derby against a side they have finished above in the league for the past two seasons.

Everton icon Ferguson, who is now a highly-rated coach at Finch Farm, said: “We shouldn’t fear any side at home. Nobody.

“When you look at our home record you see why. Liverpool have been talked about as potential Champions League qualifiers this season, but what about us? We’re quietly right there in the mix.”